Cat deaths on the road

Sian Berry: Thank you for your response to the London Assembly motion passed on 7 June 2018 about cat deaths on the road. The campaigners from Cats Matter have received new data which shows there is still an inconsistent approach being taken by councils across London when dealing with cat deaths on the road. Given the unanimous cross-party support on this issue, could you raise this with London's councils or ask one of your deputy mayors to do this on your behalf, asking each council to provide details of the actions they intend to take?

The Mayor: While It is currently at the discretion of individual boroughs whether to scan and report dead cats, there can be no doubt just how important it is for many cat owners to know what has happened to their cherished pets. That’s why Transport for London (TfL) already has a policy of trying to contact the owners of all dead pets covered on roads it controls and with the introduction of new contracts in 2021 all pets will be scanned to help increase the prospect of reuniting them with their owners.
My Deputy Mayor’s and I regularly speak to London Councils about a range of issues. I will ask my Deputy Mayor for Transport, Heidi Alexander to explore this matter with London Councils at the next opportunity.

ULEZ

Andrew Dismore: Your leaflet on the ULEZ suggests that residents living inside the zone will be able to have a discount or exemption. Is this limited only to the current boundaries, or will similar discounts and exemptions apply to residents inside the expanded zone from 2021, bordered by the North and South Circulars?

The Mayor: Residents who are registered for the residents' Congestion Charge discount will be granted a time-limited grace period. A 100 per cent discount from the Central London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge will apply to their vehicles, which will give them more time to change their vehicle to meet the ULEZ standards.The discount will be available to those who live within the Central London ULEZ and in designated areas next to the boundary where the Congestion Charge residents' discount applies.
The grace period will apply from 8 April 2019 to 24 October 2021, ending when the Central London ULEZ expands to the North and South Circulars. This discount will only apply while they live within the central London zone and are registered with Transport for London.
There is a clear, pressing, legal and moral obligation to take action to reduce air pollution as soon as possible. Therefore, there will be no grace period for residents when the ULEZ expands to inner London (within the North and South Circulars). Around 72 per cent of respondents were in favour of this proposal when we consulted on the scheme.
The ULEZ expansion takes place over three years after my decision, which I consider sufficient notice for residents.

Briefing Note on Human Error

Keith Prince: With regard to your response to MQT 2018/3425, when can I expect to receive a copy of part 4 of the documentation I requested in MQT 2018/2658 in November?

The Mayor: I understand that Transport for London (TfL) has sent you an email which provided the documentation requested in point four of Mayor’s Question 2018/2658.

TfL’s Capital Funding

Florence Eshalomi: You are postponing several capital projects as they are not possible without capital funding from the Government. You say you have no certainty of capital funding beyond 2020. Why has the Government not given us this certainty? Why are they waiting until the last minute to decide?

The Mayor: I want to work with the Government as part of its planned Spending Review this year to secure steady and sustained funding arrangements for London.
As it stands, without certainty of capital funding through devolved business rates beyond 2020, TfL cannot commit to some long-term infrastructure projects. As such, the timing of some transport schemes will need to be confirmed once the level of capital investment available is known following the outcome of the Spending Review.
Under my direction, TfL has been undertaking an extensive programme to save costs, increase revenue and become more efficient, while maintaining safety, frontline services and vital investment in transport. But this alone is not enough to fund the infrastructure our city needs to remain competitive.

Croydon Council Stakeholder Representation on FirstGroup Tram Operations Limited’s Board of Directors

Caroline Pidgeon: Given the importance of the Croydon Tram to its surrounding locality, will you consider asking FirstGroup Tram Operations Limited to ensure that representatives from Croydon Council will serve as non-voting "Stakeholder Representatives" on that company's board of directors?

The Mayor: I have asked Transport for London to make Tram Operations Limited (TOL) aware of this suggestion. TOL is a privately owned company and the contract does not include any right to require TOL to take this step, nor is there a statutory power to do so. I understand that the London Borough of Croydon has existing channels of communication with TOL and there are a number of public events and panels which enable information to be sought and provided and which reflect the importance of the Croydon Tram to its surrounding locality.

Taxi Delicensing Scheme (1)

Keith Prince: What studies has the Mayor undertaken with respect to the restructuring of the taxi delicensing scheme?

The Mayor: In July 2017, a multi-million taxi delicensing scheme was launched by Transport for London (TfL).The take-up of the scheme was low, with only around £485,000 used by the end of 2018.
TfL has restructured this funding to make delicensing more attractive, which was informed by feedback from stakeholders rather than specific studies, with £18 million of payments available for taxi owners who delicense their vehicles. The new scheme has top payments of £10,000 available to the first 250 applicants, and tiered payment levels significantly higher than previously. The new scheme was launched on 14 January 2019.
A limited number of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) conversion grants will also be available to owners of eligible Euro 5 taxis to reduce NOx emissions from these vehicles.
Details of the enhanced delicensing scheme and LPG conversion grants, including how to apply for the former, can be found here on the TfL website.